Putting in the quarterpipe last week (it was sprinkling when I shot this).... the big pour was Saturday, and it opened yesterday!

You saw folks working on it last week – the class project of Will Kromer, TK Kromer, and Jacob Jackson was to put in a new quarter pipe (that’s a skate thing)…they got all the permits & permission, the support of Island Rec, donations by local businesses, and the volunteers…and now it’s a reality!

Here’s a bunch of folks who pulled together to make it so: The cooperation of Island Rec, The County Fairgrounds, The Gates Foundation, the Family Resouce Center, and parents; the donations of Lawson Concrete, Gem Welding, Dovetail Builders, Harbor Rentals, B’s Construction, Browne’s Home Center, and the Earthbox Hotel…and community members who dropped off contributions at Island Rec. And…the Community Projects Class at Friday Harbor High – thanks, Jenny!

Just got this nice note from parent volunteer Todd Kromer:

Yesterday we opened up the new 1/4 pipe at the Island Rec Skatepark and soon 27 skaters and bikers appeared and were there until dark….it’s done now and a huge success…come see the finished product!!!

There’s a lot going on, mon:

• Yep, the San Juan Islands’ Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is this weekend – here’s more, on their Facebook page.

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• It’s happening Thursday – here’s more from Teri & Skip (and you’re invited!):

Be Chic Boutique Christmas Bash!
Don’t Miss our annual Christmas Bash!
Thursday, Dec. 15th, 5pm to 8pm

Bring along your partners and friends to enjoy the musical talents of Bob Leytze and Mike Adams (the Duotones, Be Chic’s Original Dress Shop Boys), Rhiana Franklin, Katie Lanphere, and friends all playing in the shop while sipping wine, munching on holiday snacks and of course shopping! Upon arrival you will draw a coupon for a discount of 30%, 40%, or 50% off purchases on party night! Gift wrapping will be available as well as a Christmas wish list. See you there 🙂

Merry Christmas from all of us at Be Chic!!
Thank you to our awesome customers who make doing business a real pleasure!
Teri McPadden

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• I know I’m heading for Felicity’s when someone needs something good to eat:

Celebrate the season with sweet and  savory treats from Felicitations

Did you know that Felicity does more, much more, than just cakes? For the holiday season, there are many delicious options available such as hors d’oeurves platters, gift boxes filled with seasonal treats and tied with a ribbon to create a spectacular food tower (the perfect hostess gift!), artfully decorated christmas cookies and dessert buffets. Celebrate the season with sweet and savory treats from Felicitations. (360)317-5961
www.cakesbyfelicitations.com • 317-5961

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• This will be wonderful – Susan Osborn is coming to San Juan Island to perform (with Ritambhara Tyson & Carolyn Cruso) for her 22nd annual Christmas Concert at St. David’s Church on the 17th at 2pm – here’s more.

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• This is a big show, coming this weekend – here’s more from Kirk:

CD Release Winter Solstice Concert

“Celtic and Balkan tunes & seasonal songs, strings plucked, pipes & woodwinds & drums will fire up the longest night of the year!”

with Stanley Greenthal Ensemble

Come celebrate the Winter Solstice with the release of Stanley Greenthal’s new album, First Song, a collection of original songs and instrumentals from Scotland, Brittany, Greece and Turkey.  Stanley sings and plays a constellation of strings (guitar, bouzouki, Greek and Turkish lutes) with an exciting ensemble of musicians who are featured on First Song: Greek multi-instrumentalist and singer Christos Govetas on clarinet and oud; uilleann piper, flute and whistle player Eliot Grasso from Eugene, Oregon, and Kip Greenthal’s harmony vocals and percussion.  Please join us for a very special evening of music not ordinarily heard at most holiday concerts.

Sunday, December 18th – 7:00 pm • Isle Be Jammin’
Tickets: $10, on sale at the Isle Be Jammin’store or by phone: (360) 378-5151
The ensemble….

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• Last Farmers’ Market of the year – this Saturday at the high school at 10am!

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• Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso told me last week there were a few special open houses this weekend – here’s the deal:

Several Studio Tour Artists are welcoming the public to visit their studios this Sunday, December 18th, from 10 – 1:00pm for a special Holiday Open House.

Open Studios:    
Spaulding Studio (Pastels & Photography), 1713 Cattle Point Rd., 378-5594
Darlene Nixon (Glass Jewelry) 163 Elena Dr., 378-1353
Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso (Encaustic Painting & Art Glass), 1296 Wold Rd., 378-6725
Beth Hetrick (Acrylic Painting), 146 Saddle Rd., 378-8375
Peter Fromm (Photography),Deer Harbor Marina, Orcas, 378-8378

Come on by and  explore our workspaces, enjoy the artwork and share in some holiday cheer and refreshments!

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Claire & Ed Kelm with Bob and Kathie Ward get together at Roche Harbor’s Block Party last Saturday evening, right before the Roche Harbor Lighted Boat Parade. Photo by Cyndi Brast.

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• Got this nice note from Tina Tielmann to share:

Hello, We’d like to thank everyone who donated their items, time and support to make Karina Serna’s Flea Market benefit sale a success. With everyone’s help we raised $1166 in 4 short hours at Saturdays Dec 10th Flea Market. We also want to thank all of you that have contributed to the benefit account at Islanders Bank. So far that account has received $1737 in donations to help pay medical bills for past and future treatment and surgery related to her breast cancer.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
The Friends of Karina Serna and Family

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This is a photo of the adult players from last week. From left to right, top row: Carl, Hank, Charlie, Anders, Mike, Bruce; middle row: Jacob, John, Skip, Monika, Keith; in front: Jeff, Tony. (Click for a bigger picture!) Monika has more:

We’re having another fantastic roller hockey season through Island Rec at the Fairgrounds on Tuesday nights!

There’s two different age groups of youth hockey from 5:30-6:30 and 6:30-7:30 with great coaching help from several of the adult players. Adults play from 7:30-9:00. All skill levels are welcome to any session, with pads, sticks, and helmets provided. All you need is roller blades! You can also practice your skating skills Saturday nights at the Fairgrounds through Island Rec’s open skate.

Wow, it’s been a year already since Cynthia got XYZ Movement Arts going – congratulations to her & her crew! Yu can  join the XYZ newsletter by emailing Cynthia at zumbacyn (at) aol.com for a weekly update of class schedule and new workshops/events.

Here’s a little writeup about what’s happening there:

XYZ movement arts is happily celebrating one year of dance, music and movement!

December 13^th marks the one year anniversary of the opening of XYZ movement arts and to celebrate, Cynthia Burke, inspired owner and teacher is offering FREE ZUMBA classes in exchange for can/cans of food for the food bank.  From 12/15 to 12/31/11, Cynthia will be teaching Zumba for FOOD!  Please join us and shake off some of those winter blues and help out some of your island neighbors!

Also the studio will be holding an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, January 7th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM – Please join Cynthia and many of the teachers in celebrating.  You will be able to talk with the teachers regarding the various classes available.  Win a prize, eat some appetizers and gather with friends!  Please join us!

XYZ movment arts – located at 689 Airport Center Road.  Just down from San Juan Healthcare and above Ravenhill Construction.

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XYZ movement arts was formed by Cynthia Burke – owner of Cynthia’s, Of Course catering company with the idea of creating a space for the community to gather, move, play and inspire each other.  Whether your are looking for a physical or spiritual shift, XYZ movement arts space offers a variety of classes from   Currently XYZ movement arts is offering 28 classes a week including Zumba,  a large variety of Yoga Classes (16 each week), Adult Hula, Ballroom Dancing, Capoiera , Children’s Ballet, Belly Dancing and Core Strength classes.

With an impressive array of teachers, 1500 square feet of bamboo flooring, a wall of mirrors and large windows offering natural light – the ambiance is perfect for many different activities and movement arts.

XYZ movement arts is also available for private parties, Zumbatomic Birthday Parties for the little ones, music and dance parties, writers workshops, artists workshops and fundraising events.

During the next year, XYZ movement arts offers a variety of introductory classes for free as well as workshops in an array of areas.   Please watch the coming events page on the XYZ movement arts website as well as the Facebook group page.

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Teachers:

Cynthia Burke – Zumba and Yoga – certified Yoga, Zumba, Zumba Toning, and Zumbatomics (for children) instructor

Jeanne Turner – Owner – The Yoga Path – certified Yoga instructor offering Yoga for Strong Bones and Therapeutic Yoga and All Levels Yoga – late morning, mid day and Sunday classes

Christine Miller – Certified Yin Yoga Instructor

Rev Shannon – Certified Yoga Instructor offering a fluid and energizing noon yoga class

Katerina Wen – Certified Yoga Instructor offering Basic Yoga, Level 1 Yoga and Viniyasa 1 Yoga – evenings and Sunday classes

Nicholas Corrin – focusing on Men’s Yoga and owner of Friday Harbor Holistic Health.

Marie Hart – Iyengar Yoga instructor offering many years of experience – Saturday mornings

Lisa Duke – outstanding dance instructor

Alice Hibbard – Kumu Alice offers Hula classes for adults in the evening

Paul Barger – Ballroom Dancing at its best – offering a variety of evening dance classes

Elizabeth Clark – Children’s Ballet Teacher for the little ones

I know that the hardest thing for me to admit & say & embrace are the words, “I’m wrong.” Maybe that’s why this TED talk is, ultimately, freeing.

Most of us will do anything to avoid being wrong. But what if we’re wrong about that? “Wrongologist” Kathryn Schulz makes a compelling case for not just admitting but embracing our fallibility.

This was at the University of Minnesota…keep your eye on the security guy. 🙂

Amy has some ideas...

I love this time of year because it opens my eyes to little gifts that are all around, and it makes me feel grateful…that’s how I felt when I ran into this little Facebook posting by one of my favorite island writers, Amy Wynn:

Here’s some holiday traditions, some from my own days, some from friends of mine…

* My friend Rachel’s family gets out the sleeping bags and camp out under the Christmas tree the first night they put it up.

* Get/make a Christmas bank and put loose change in it. Day after Christmas each person guesses how much money is in it, Count it (good math lesson) and the person who is the closest gets to choose an outing to spend the money on… or donate to a good cause together…

*One year when my boys were young, Santa and Mrs. Claus assembled thirty colorful airplanes and gliders from the Toy Box and hung them from my boys’ ceiling. What a surprise on Christmas morning…another year, glow in the dark stars appeared in the night.

*Kids always got to look in their stockings before the folks were awake…bought the parents some more sleep-in time. Santa wisely put beef jerkey and chocolate in the stockings which the kids would use to wave under our noses to wake us sleepy head parents up.

*Kids getting presents from family far away? copy pictures of the person who is giving them the present and put it on the gift…otherwise Santa’s going to get all the credit (or blame if it’s bunny footie pajamas for a ten year old boy!)

*Find a neighborhood with some good lights, park the car, put the little ones in the red wagon and go for a little stroll.

*Go to the beach on Christmas Eve afternoon. Nice to get some fresh air, burn off a little energy. It was really neat the year we found purple starfish on the beach. Magical!

Happy Holidays! and if anyone has ideas for holiday magic with teenage boys, let me know!!!!

Swing by San Juan Trophy for the engraving work - and more! - that you've been thinking about....

There’s a lot going on! Get a clue, Lou:

• Courtney Oldwyn has an idea for you & the kids next week – call her today:

If you’re looking for something fun for your kids to do during the winter break, send them to horse camp at Blazing Tree Ranch! Dec. 19, 20 & 21, ages 4 & up. $99 for 3 day camp!  378-1364

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Out for dinner...an eagle skims the water in this picture by Jim Maya.

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• Film tonight at 7pm! Rob Simpson continues the Conscientious Projector series at the Library this week with tonight’s showing of “What the Bleep Do We Know” – here’s the website; and here’s Rob’s writeup:

A special holiday screening of the hit film that really got people thinking about Quantum Physics and its implications in our lives….“What The Bleep Do We Know”! The most entertaining, new-science film you never saw in school. Free popcorn, too.

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• The basketball guys thumped Orcas and Saturday over at their place, while the girls kept it close & beat the Vikings. The teams are back in action here on the island on Friday with Mount Vernon Christian after traveling to Darrington on Tuesday.

Got a chance to visit with wresting coach Neil on the ferry Saturday night as they returned from an all day meet downsound (they also hosted a home match the day before)…he’s liking the guys’ progress so far, with some state prospects this year. We’ll keep you posted!

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• Get it on your radar: If you’re thinking about going out tonight to eat, think about dropping by the Golden Triangle – this time of year Avon runs a Japanese special (Mondays), a Vietnamese special (Tuesdays), and a Laotion dinner on Wednesday….great place to eat!

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Moonrise over Friday Harbor last Friday...photo by Tamara Weaver

Bits of that & this, Chris:

• At the presentation about Damanhur on Sunday, Keith and Ann Marie are going to take questions about some pretty esoteric stuff, including the Damanhurans’ experiments with time travel, manufacturing meat, psychic & spiritual studies, and more. Here’s the scoop for the show at 3 on Sunday.

Keith remarks:

I wanted to tell you how excited Ann Marie and I are about the presentation this Sunday at 3:00- 5:00. The free event will be held at the San Juan Room, next to the Bluff Restaurant at Friday Harbor House. The program will  be about the Federation of Damanhur.  We will be showing images of their  underground Temples in Northern Italy that I filmed for my documentary “Dreams of Damanhur.”

My intention is to share with you aspects of their culture that I didn’t discuss in the film, such as time travel research, plant intelligence, new energy sources, new designs for bio-building , esoteric physics, and much more. For her part, Ann Marie will talk about her recent three month stay in their community. We will end the program with a Q&A session and general discussion about this unique and highly successful eco/ spiritual / scientific / art / community.

The Bluff will have a happy hour starting at 5 and then you can enjoy front row seats for the Lighted Boat Parade that’s sure to dazzle the Harbor. The Bluff is planning to have some special dish from the region of Piedmonte in Italy on Sunday night…yum !

• Have you seen downtown Friday Harbor at night lately? Actually, “dark” has no meaning – it’s great all lit up…come see!

• Have you hugged everyone you need to today? Hope so.

One of my alltime favorite ferry workers down at the ferry landing is Anne - have you EVER seen her not smiling? This is a pic I took ages ago & have been meaning to post, with a smile....

Are you ready for the weekend? Let’s check, Beck:

• Here’s the deal for the Santa sightings on the island – head to Roche Harbor tomorrow (Saturday) for their annual Block Party from 4-7pm, with the Roche Harbor Lighted Boat Parade on tap then.

Then – Sunday the 11th, it’s the Lighted Boat Parade for the Friday Harbor Marina, in which the boats begin from Shipyard Cove at 5:45, with the Santa Ship leaving Santa at the middle school at 6:30 to meet the kids.

This weekend!

• This weekend there’s a full lunar eclipse happening – here’s the whole story (and when to see it).

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• What I like to hear:

Repudiate the worldly trend: make your holiday season mindful instead of mindless.
Marianne Williamson

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• Look who’s coming to the Rumor Mill on Sunday at 6:30pm…Oren tells me: “Ravin’wolf … the acoustic psychedelic sagebrush blues band will be appearing for a special performance at The Rumor Mill on Sunday, Dec 11th to promote the release of their new CD Long Live Live Music.”

Ravin' Wolf

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• Meanwhile, at the Community Theatre tonight – here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

Tonight!

Family Fun at Curious Comedy Tour
December 9

One spears vegetables in mid-air, juggles all kinds of things and manages to add extra laughs in between.  The other takes the classics of magic and gives them a unique and funny twist.

The Northwest’s Matt Baker and Steve Hamilton have combined their comedy/variety acts to create The Curious Comedy Tour, presented at San Juan Community Theatre on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.

The special family night of comedy also features free popcorn and soda, courtesy of the Community Arts Theatre Society (CATS).

Baker and Hamilton call their tour act, “one hilarious show for all ages full of magic, music, juggling, odd skills and audience participation.”  Between the two of them, they have performed more than 4,000 shows, have appeared on America’s Got Talent, Last Comic Standing and have made people laugh in over 16 different countries.  One of them even has a Guinness World Record.

The business partners for the evening are Printonyx and CATS.   Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for student reserved.  $5 Student RUSH will be available at the door

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Starts next week!!!!!!

• It starts next week:

December 16 through December 24: Island Stage Left presents “Omnium Gatherum, or From the Sublime to the Ridiculous.”

It is the season for giving – Island Stage Left gives islanders and visitors top quality professional theatre productions free of charge all year round. This year’s Christmas production is a splendid celebration intended to warm hearts, tickle funny bones and kindle the spirit of the season.

Performances are at the Roche Harbor Pavilion, Friday – Sunday, December 16,17, 18, and Wednesday – Saturday, December 21 – 24. Times: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday – Saturday and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Christmas Eve performances are at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with seating by reservation only.

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Wolverine soph Tabatha Kean fights for position under the hoop in the second quarter Tuesday night against Concrete...FHHS kept it close till the fourth quarter, when they pulled away to win 49-36 over Concrete. The boys won by 30+ in the earlier game with the Lions. FHHS travels to Orcas on Saturday for their next games....

• Let’s take a look around the island, Myron…..

• Good to see you at the Community Dinner at FHHS last night…big mob in support of the kids’ cooking, with special thanks to San Juan Pasta Company for the pasta & help putting it on…way to go!

The most famous mermaid on the island...this photo is when she was outside of the store before the fire in 2002.

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• Brian & Rebekah at the Mystical Mermaid had an Open House last weekend, and part of the deal was naming the mermaid (you’ve seen her – she’s made of wood & hangs out, out front of the store) and having a $50 drawing – I wondered who won:

The name that won was Juan-da, pronounced Wanda as in The Strait of Juan De Fuca.  The guy that named her is Al Thomasen.  And the winner of the raffle for the $50 gift certificate was Julie Hart.

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• Here’s how the Twelve Days of Christmas work:

Wolf Hollow and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce  Co-sponsor the first annual “Twelve Days of Christmas”
December 1-31, on San Juan Island

Twelve island businesses will participate by hosting a lighted display representing one of the twelve days of Christmas. Each of these businesses will have maps available showing each of the display sites. Folks are encouraged to visit each of the locations and complete the questionnaire on the reverse side of the map to be entered into a drawing for a gift basket containing a gift from each of the participating businesses.

The completed questionnaires can be dropped at the Chamber of Commerce prior to December 31 for your chance to win a gift basket.

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At the Labs today!

• These are cool – I love seeing what the students are doing at the Marine Labs –  the Marine Environment Research Apprenticeship Talks are today! Here is the schedule (from 1-4pm).

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• Have you gone by The Barking Bird yet? They have some cool ideas for gifts for you & the pet owners in your life…located in the old Fat Cat Café, drop by soon! Judith’s done a great job with setting up the store!

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I'm catching on that Aaron Shepard can make photographic poetry out of common objects - here's his shot of the breadsticks in the middle of the table last night at the Community Dinner...

To see more of Aaron’s work, click here!

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Tonight!

• It’s Girls Night Out tonight! Here’s more from Ruth at Waterworks:

Thursday, December 8, 3-8pm
WaterWorks Gallery‘s annual Girls’ Night Out with Mary Brooke Barger
from Mirabella Skin Care…This Thursday, Mirabella Skin Care joins Waterworks Gallery for a Fun  and Festive Girl’s Night Event with chocolates & bubbly. Stop by and see WaterWorks Gallery’s spectacular art jewelry, priced at $30 and up.
Mirabella Skin Care will be offering samples and complimentary skin consultation.

Bring a friend! Enter to win prizes and receive special event only promotions.

Fill out your wish list, and they’ll forward it to your ‘Santa.’ Can’t make it? Go online here and here and check out the fabulous jewelry and give us a call.

The other participating business are Daisy Bloom and Sandpebble, both located on Spring Street. They will be joining WaterWorks Gallery and Mirabella Skin Care in Celebrating Girls Night Out by staying open late, offering treats and discounts for this special evening. Wahoo!

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Do you read those things you gotta click "OK" on when you're installing software? I do....

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• So, what IS happening at Sandpebble tonight? Here’s more from Carolyn Leighton:

Stop by Sandpebble for an after hours holiday shopping night with store specials, complimentary gift packaging, yummy treats and refreshments. Come fill out your holiday wish list and enter our drawing. *Thursday December 8th 5-8 pm* Grab a girlfriend and come on out!

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The Kids Art Show is fun!

• Every year, Matt & Barbara host one of the great kid events at Gallery San Juan – I love seeing how it all works out with the Artists’ Reception in a week – here’s more from Barbara:

It’s the 13th annual Kids Art Show at Gallery San Juan & Framing, with the reception December 14th from 4pm -6:30pm.

Free art kits & instruction can be picked up at Gallery San Juan, 232 A Street (across from Market Chef), December 7th -10th and must be dropped off by December 13th.

All kids from ages 4-12 are invited to participate.  The show will be up for viewing December 14th, 15th and 16th.  Contact us at the gallery for more information 378-1376.

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• Have you been by Pelindaba to see what they have this time of year? Drop by or check online – here’s more:

We handcraft many unique gifts for under $15. Grab a few to have on hand for hostess gifts, secret Santa exchanges and for co-workers, etc.
See all our grab and go gift ideas.

Gifts for the Gourmet

‘Tis the season for much feasting! Lavender is truly one of the most exciting and unique flavors. For the foodies in your life, we have just the thing.
See all our culinary gift ideas.

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Nice crowd at the Community Dinner last night! Photo by Mike Martin

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• More gift ideas! Drop by & visit Kirk at Isle Be Jammin’….here’s more:

Isle be Jammin’s Annual Christmas Sale is on!!! 10-25% on musical gear, accessories, books and instruments. Lesson specials as well. Happy Holidays and Thanks for your support over the years. SHOPPPING LOCAL ROCKS!!!!!!

Drop by Harper Poesy for your giftcards...

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• Here’s another holiday idea, from Tea:

December Special..20 % off all giftcards at Harper Poesy hairsalon 🙂

Come see us now open most days in Surina Business Park !

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• Did you write your letter to Santa for a bike? It’s due the 10th – here’s the deal.

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• The newly formed San Juan Arts Council elected their folks last week – here’s the scoop from Teddy:

At the first San Juan County Arts Council Board of Directors meeting held at the Orcas Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 the following officers were elected.

President: Teddy Deane (San Juan Island)
Vice President: Lance Evans (Orcas Island)
Secretary: Dennis Ryan (Lopez Island)
Treasurer: Liz Illg (San Juan Island)

The Board of Directors will meet monthly and rotate island meeting sites. The SJCAC will continue to strive to achieve representation and represent artistic endeavors from all county islands.

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• Speaking of winners, here is who won the Chamber of Commerce’s decorating contest last week (Friday Harbor looks great at night! It’s all lit up!):

The winners of the Holiday Decorating Contest are:

Small Exterior: 1st Place  Acanthus Antiques • 2nd Printonyx
Small Interior: 1st Islands Group Sothebys • 2nd Vinny’s
Lrg Exterior: 1st Place Kings Market • 2nd Islanders Bank
Lrg Interior: 1st Rumor Mill * 2nd San Juan County Financial
Best Display in Show: Earthbox

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Bill

• New cook at Coho Restaurant! Here’s the story, from Anna Maria:

If you take a peek through the kitchen doors, you’ll find a new face behind the range. We are thrilled to introduce our new head chef, Bill Messick.

Joining us from the finest restaurants in Colorado, Bill was anxious to escape the congestion, the smog, and the hustle & bustle of city life. He was looking for a small community with a good feel to it, and lots of outdoor activities; needless to say, San Juan Island fit the bill perfectly. Bill loves the high quality of the produce and foods the island farmers have to offer, so much so that he scouted out the local farms before showing up for his interview. “There’s so much you can do with each and every ingredient. If you cook seasonally, and locally, you’ll never get bored.” Continue Reading

The library can use a hand if you have a little extra space – Birgit explains:

HELP!  The Friends of the San Juan Island Library needs a new site to sort and store donated books for our annual book sales.

Our former sorting and immediate storage area in the library basement was permanently damaged in last November’s flood and is no longer available to us.  Because we have had to limit book donations, we are unable to hold our holiday book sale this year, and next year’s big summer sale is possibly in peril.

We need a centrally located, dry heated location where we can sort and pack books.

Unfortunately the rent for such commercially available spaces would consume the income from our sales.  If anyone is willing to donate such a space for a tax deduction for the rental value, please contact  Birgit Kriete at 378-3972 or Jan Smulovitz  at 378-8983.  The Friends of the Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Here comes the winter solstice....

You know how the music & words shape what we feel & say & do each day – it’s so cool when the poetry of our songs & verse says so clearly what is in our hearts & minds, whether it’s a cry of joy or singin’ the blues – that’s why it’s good to swap songs with each other. So, here’s one, as the winter solstice bears down on us…

How like a winter hath my absence been (Sonnet 97)
by William Shakespeare

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December’s bareness every where!
And yet this time remov’d was summer’s time;
The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,
Bearing the wanton burden of the prime,
Like widow’d wombs after their lords’ decease:
Yet this abundant issue seem’d to me
But hope of orphans and unfather’d fruit;
For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,
And, thou away, the very birds are mute:
Or, if they sing, ’tis with so dull a cheer,
That leaves look pale, dreading the winter’s near.

Courtesy of Jessica Hagy, Indexed

Keith's photography & Ann Marie's stories...amazing. Photo of the earth temple in Damanhur, by Keith Busha

I’d have to say – I’m pretty excited about this.

On Sunday, Filmmaker Keith Busha will be joined by Ann Marie Molnar (she works at Lavendera in town) who returned this year from spending three months living in Damanhur. Keith’s website can tell you more – much more – about Damanhur, and here’s the website for the place itself.

In 2005, filmmaker Keith Busha found himself drawn to Italy to view and film the art of a unique, largely unknown community.  He found their extensive and extraordinary art to be only a very small piece of a story that consumed him for years.  After many trips and much research, this self-proclaimed, road weary skeptic opened his eyes and mind to the wonders of this enlightened and innovative community.

This film, originally about art, became a multilayered journey into the heart of a new and growing civilization that must be seen to be believed.  A society where nothing is impossible and where there are no limits to what can be done. That is the society to which Ann Marie moved earlier this year, and now returns to tell her first-hand experience.

See you at the presentation!

If you haven’t been to the Community  Dinner that’s offered at the high school by FHHS’ Food For Thought program, you’ve been missing out, seriously. Tonight the deal is from 5:30-7:30pm…drop by! I got a chance to swing by the kitchen Tuesday night to see what was cooking:

A fave from Phil Collins: